Landscaping and Buffers chapter text amendment

Every hearing and vote

1. December 12, 2023 · City Council

   Set Jan. 9, 2024 hearing on Landscaping and Buffers text amendment

   Approved · 7-0

   On consent, the council set a Jan. 9, 2024, 7 p.m. public hearing on amendments to Title 21A landscaping and buffer rules meant to reduce water use, enhance the urban forest and improve air quality and green infrastructure.

   Moved by Council Member Daniel Dugan, seconded by Council Member Ana Valdemoros. Vote: 7-0 (consent)

2. December 12, 2023 · City Council work session

   Landscaping and Buffers chapter text amendment (follow-up)

   Discussed

   Planning and public utilities staff reviewed the goals of rewriting Title 21A landscaping rules: water conservation, a larger tree canopy, less heat island effect and better stormwater handling. Topics included turf limits, a Planning Commission recommendation to prohibit artificial turf, park strip grass and tree sizes, and rock and rubber mulch limits. Council members asked for more research on rock mulch, projected versus actual tree canopy and the data behind turf limits; Council Member Sarah Young raised possible community concern about turf at recreation areas. Planning Director Nick Norris asked that park strip vegetation height be addressed and suggested a 22-inch limit.

3. January 9, 2024 · City Council

   Landscaping and Buffers chapter text amendment (public hearing)

   Tabled · 7-0

   After staff gave a brief introduction, four speakers addressed the proposed Title 21A changes. One speaker urged stronger water conservation leadership and said the rules could cause water waste; another asked to keep the artificial turf ban and not count tree canopy as landscaping cover; a third described being cited by the city for a water-saving yard; a fourth asked that artificial turf not be allowed on city-owned property, including park strips. The council closed the hearing and deferred action to a future meeting.

   Moved by Council Member Alejandro Puy, seconded by Council Member Sarah Young. Vote: 7-0 to close the hearing and defer action

4. February 6, 2024 · City Council work session

   Landscaping and Buffers chapter text amendment (follow-up)

   Discussed

   Planning staff described updates to the turf definition, tree canopy rules, parking lot landscaping, rock and mulch limits, higher park strip vegetation height allowances and enforcement, and said the rules would not be retroactive. Council members asked staff to clarify in the amendment that park strips on one parcel be treated as a whole rather than individually.

5. February 20, 2024 · City Council work session

   Landscaping and Buffers chapter text amendment (follow-up)

   Discussed

   Staff said the last unresolved issue was enforcement for those who had already installed artificial turf: 10 open cases were paused. They said current code prohibits artificial turf in required front, corner side and buffer areas by administrative interpretation, while the amendments do not prohibit it in rear yards. Council members discussed fairness to those already made to comply and a sunset or remediation program; an assistant planning director said a sunset process would be complicated to enforce. Council Member Chris Wharton asked Public Utilities, the administration and the City Attorney's Office to look into enforcement options.

6. March 5, 2024 · City Council work session

   Landscaping and Buffers chapter text amendment (follow-up)

   Discussed

   Staff said past and current ordinances do not allow artificial turf, and described a grace period and complaint-based enforcement taking effect after publication, with notices giving violators time to comply. Council members asked for a remedy such as contacting those in violation to tell them of the new ordinance.